With myriad rivers originating from the spiritual lands of Uttarakhand, it is only normal to expect some of the best hill stations to be present here. While these hill stations in Uttarakhand offer amazing views of snow clad mountains in winters, the same places serve as summer escapades; away from the scorching summer temperature in the plains.

These destinations in the Uttarakhand hills are bordered by Tibet in the north, Nepal in the east, Himachal Pradesh in the west, and the Ganga plains in the south. And the thrill quotient is always high, thanks to the plethora of adventure activities. From trekking to mountain biking, from rappelling to paragliding, and from camping to jet skiing; Uttarakhand offers all of these and more.

So, to familiarise you with the famous as well as the unexplored hill stations of Uttarakhand, we bring to you a hand-picked list. Do check these out before booking an Uttarakhand tour package.

Famous Hill Stations In Uttarakhand

1. Nainital: The land of devis and lakes

Nainital is, without a doubt, the most popular name that you’ll find in this list of famous hill stations in Uttarakhand. Situated at an elevation of 1,938 m above the sea-level, the quaint hill station is best known for the Naina Devi temple & the Naini Lake that lies amidst a forested valley.

2. Mussoorie: Often coveted as ‘The Queen of the Hills’

Thanks to the well-developed state tourism board and the safe routes, there are numerous hill stations in Uttarakhand that most North Indians have heard of, if not visited already. One such name is of Mussoorie. With an expanse of commanding snow ranges to its northeast and gorgeous Doon Valley & Shivalik ranges to the south, the verdant hill station appears like a little fairyland to the tourists.

3. Dehradun: The capital of Uttarakhand, tucked away in Doon Valley

Mussoorie and Dehradun are two hill stations in Uttarakhand that are often named together; mainly because the two lie only a few miles apart. And just like Mussoorie, Dehradun too invites couples, families, & solo travelers alike. The destination, highlighted by the scenic backdrop of Garhwal Himalayas, offers religious attractions, tourist points, and wildlife havens.

Hold on! Did you really think that we’d just keep shooting the names that you already know?

Maybe, in that case, what you’re looking for is a list of popular places to visit in Uttarakhand. But just-in-case you are looking for a quieter getaway in the Uttarakhand hills, the ones that follow may appeal more to you.

Lesser Known Hill Stations In Uttarakhand

4. Abbott Mount: A dwarf hill station in Uttarakhand hills

Snuggled in the Kali Kumaon region of Champawat district lies a cluster of 13 cottages that few know by the name of Abbott Mount. The tiny hamlet, spread across mere 5 acres of deodar & pine woods, lies at an elevation of 6,400 ft above the sea level. Haunted cottage, old church, and base camp for Pancheshwar trek can be found here.

5. Askot: The land of 80 forts on Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage route

Despite its history as an erstwhile princely state, Askot remains to be one of the lesser known hill stations of Uttarakhand. Numerous rulers have ruled this region in the past; including Doti Kings of Nepal, Rajbars, Chands, Gorkhas, Katyuris, and the British. In fact, the name too has been derived from Assi Kot or eighty forts that once stood in the region. Sadly, most of them are now in Dharchula district of Nepal.

6. Auli: If it’s alluring, it must be Auli

Auli is one of the top hill stations in Uttarakhand that is more popular for its winter sports. The ski slopes – ranging between 2,500 m & 3,500 m above sea level – are among the best options for snowboarding and skiing in India. Furthermore, it lies adjacent to the shrine of Badrinath. It also offers panoramic views of some high Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat, and Dunagiri.

7. Chaukori: Tea gardens detached from all sorts of artificiality

Chaukori is one of those unexplored hill stations in Uttarakhand that offer unique views of both sunset & sunrise; something that can be attributed to its totally unpolluted environs. Located at a moderate elevation of 2,010 m above the sea level, this hill station offers a forest cover rich in pine, oak, & rhododendron trees, cornfields, and orchards. And then there are massive tea gardens to explore.

8. Dhanaulti: A delightful weekend getaway from Delhi

Dhanaulti is slowly catching up on the ‘fame’ scale with other famous hill stations in Uttarakhand, thanks to the easily available weekend getaway packages from Delhi. The serene hill town, nestled beautifully amid the lofty Himalayas, offers a range of opportunities to the travelers. While forts & temples make for decent sightseeing options, camping & other adventure activities cater to the nature lovers and the adventure junkies.

9. Gangolihat: Religious hub in the Uttarakhand Hills

It is surprising to know that Gangolihat is still a lesser known name in this list of hill stations of Uttarakhand. After all, it is a divine land that is blessed with a number of ancient temples and underground caves to explore. And the panoramic view of the Himalayas from the Vaishnav Mandir atop Shail Parvat never fails to mesmerize those who visit the hill town.

10. Gwaldam: A potpourri of Garhwali & Kumaoni cultures

There are so many interesting but lesser known hill stations in Uttarakhand that one can explore. One such secluded landscape is of Gwaldam. Its wooded vicinity is home to myriad birds and multicolored flowers. Also, the destination is also a base camp for numerous treks; including Lord Curzon trail (Kuari Pass), Nanda Devi Raj Jat trek, and Roopkund trek.

11. Jageshwar: Not just another religious town in the Uttarakhand hills

Famous or not, Jageshwar is the best hill station in Uttarakhand that holds importance on both historical and religious grounds. Over 125 temples, nestled amid the deodar forest, can be found here. Some of these date back to as early as the Gupta ages. These depict ancient Indian sculpture and have inscriptions from various ages.

12. Kausani: The Switzerland of India

Many of you might argue that there are other hill stations in India that deserve the said title more than Kausani. But the destination truly is beautiful and inspired Mahatma Gandhi to make the comparison for a reason. It offers alluring views of Bandarpoonch, Trishul, & Panchachuli peaks. Temples and other tourist attractions offer great sightseeing options. Furthermore, travelers can go for short treks & hikes from Kausani.

13. Khirsu: Yet another religious hamlet in the Uttarakhand hills

Situated at an elevation of 1,700 m above the sea level in the Pauri Garhwal district, Khirsu is undeniably one of the most beautiful hill stations in Uttarakhand. The mountain peaks are covered in forests of Oak & Deodar trees. The destination fascinates travelers with the views of the central Himalayas and the numerous temples found in & around the hill town.

14. Pauri: Garhwali hill town blessed with natural exquisiteness

Pauri is, perhaps, a slightly more popular brother of Khirsu. Just like Khirsu, this Garhwali hill station too has many revered temples. Its picturesque setting includes skyscraping mountains that remain covered in snow for many months. And when the rays of the sun first fall on these snowy peaks, the view so generated is beyond compare. Moreover, the destination offers many short hikes & treks; including the Binsar Mahadev trek, the Tara Kund Trek, and the Dudhatoli trek.

15. Ramgarh: Fruit Bowl of Kumaon

Ramgarh serves as a perfect destination for those who love nature & solitude. Devoid of all the city rush, the region is calm and serene. Its sprawling fruit orchards of apricots, apple, peach, & pears form the backbone of the tourism of this hamlet in the Uttarakhand hills. And the views of the majestic Himalayas from these orchards further enhance the travel experience.

How to reach

By air: Pantnagar Airport (76 km away)

By rail: Kathgodam Railway Station (45 km away)

Attractions of the hill station: Ramgarh orchards and Nathuakhan village

What’s nearby: Mukteshwar, Nainital, Bhimtal, and Naukuchiatal

Many might have expected to find more famous hill stations in Uttarakhand in this list. But we’ve made a conscious effort to include most of the untrodden ones. Let us know what you feel about the list and where you would want to visit next.